The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-25
THE Observation-Disclosures.
Searcher for knowledge Is Much Gratified
Over the Result of the Recent Meeting.


Over the Result of the Recent Meeting.
New York sun.
The Ancient Arabs OF North America are in
session this week at ndianapois-technically
known for mystic purposes as the Oasis OF In
dianapolis. They have travelled across the
desert, and quartered in the caravansary
commonly styled the New Denson Hotel. The
secret rites of gloom began on Monday in the
aweinspiring interior of temple which the I'M
initiated inhabitants of the Oasis generally
speak of Pfaffiin's Hall. In Pfaffiins Hall
the sacred black stone has been set up in honor
OF Cherif Pasha, the Egyptian gentleman whose
irreparable loss the order is now bewailing in
manner that has attracted public attention to
their performances
event with interest hoping that it might throw
some light upon the fascinating mystery sur
rounding these high old cockalorums. The ex-
pectation is not disappointed. An official state
ment of all that may be known to outsiders.
written partly in Arabic and partly in tue Indi-
ana dialect has been procured by an enterpris-
published in the Oasis. We thus obtain good
deal of curious information respecting the Noble
Shareefs of the Western Hemisphere, who
reckon time from the Hegira. swear by the beard
of the Prophet. and chalk down their drinks
from right to left in the true Oriental fashion
Among the most eminently Ancient and Mo-
hammedan of the visiting Mobiles Sam
Briggs, of Cleveland; Capt. Joe Eakins, James
MCGEE and Billy Patterson, of New York city,
and DR.. Walter M. Fleming. who wrote the
markable elegy poor dead Cherif Pasha, that
appeared several weeks ago in these columns.
Among the principal Ancient Mobiles of the Oasis
itself-that is TO say. of Indianapolis--are
Joseph w Smith, whose esoteric name is Sha-
reef Al Eu1ir; Sam ]. Hillman, known in and
about the Oasis Shareef Salm Ell Ciemiya. and
FL. I'll. McGaffey and Dave Strouse With sew
eral hundred other Shareefs they propose, when
the mourning for Cherif has been properly at
tended to- to ''sit down to the mahogany upon
which will be laid the finest banquet ever spread
in Indianapolis"
We learn also that the North American Arabs
trace their mystic lineage back ITO Kalif Alec
Whose name be praised!1, the cousin german and
son-in-law of the Prophst Mohammed (Allah
favor and preserve him!f Without venturing
too positive an opinion delicate subject. we
should say that this fact ought to entitle Sam
Briggs, Billy Patterson and the other ancients
to wear the green turban. That would be q
much more appropriate and oriental head cover
ing than the TALL white hats which they cusro-
marily affect, and it would add to the street life
of our American cities an element of picturesque
ness and color which is now altogether wanting.
If it be objected that Alec was not really de-
sceEdant of the Prophet, we can only reply that
Messrs. Sam Briggs, William Patterson and
James MCGEE are not really descendants of the
Kalif Alec Their title to the green turban is
perfectly sound, the principle of the Mon
goose.
The order of the Bektasheeyehs WAS originally
instituted at Mecca a sort of Arabian vigilance
committee, and the function of its mem bars was
ito dispense justice and execute punishment
upon criminals who escape their just deserts
through the hardness of the COURTS" and also ito
promote religious liberation among cultured
men OF all nations" How far the latter OF these
worthy objects is still kept in view by the
Bektasheeyehs we unable to say. The
former function, under the necessary conditions
of society in the civilized Western hemisphere,
has almost wholly disappeared; although sur
vival of it to a certain extent may be found in
the single case of one of the most illustrious of
tho New York Bektasheeyehs We refer to the
Shareef Alex es-Willams of the Nineteenth pre-
cinct.
The official statement to which we owe these
facts warns against confoundng
the genuine Bektasheeyehs who wear tall white
hats, with inferior orders of dervishes like the
Hadafeeyehs, the Rifaeeyehs and the Sadi-
reeyehs, who contribute to the good of mankind
by bowling, whirlng, dancing or barking during
their ceremonial observances. The real Bek
tasheeyehs are not howlers, whrlers,
dancers. or bankers On the contrary. they ARE
for .heir broad and catholic toleration,"
and this fact is ''the secret of the orders pro-
found grasp the intellect and heart of all
cultured people"
The emblem of the order is a crescent the
most highly priced material for its construction
being the claws of the royal Bengal tiger. "For
esoteric reasons" says informant. 1--WE
hang the horns of the crescent downward" We
are prepared to believe it, And spirit of strict
i'm pa rtialty leads to observe that inasmuch
as champagne, Bourbon whisky and lager beer
had not been invented when the Prophet lived.
they cannot properly be included IN the prohibi-
tory clause of the moral law of Islam.